Perpignan Tigers debut against Montpellier

The newly-formed Perpignan Tigers have competed in their first game, against the Montpellier Firesharks on the 21st of February. The match was the first game in the Catalan city of Perpignan since 2006, when footy was first played with the creation of the short-lived St Esteve Saints.

The result was also a milestone for Montpellier, their 45-point win the club's first victory.

After just a few months of training the Tigers had invited the nearby Montpellier team for a friendly match of Aussie Rules. Despite being inexperienced, the Catalan team was leading on the scoreboard after the first quarter. But every good thing has an end, and by the end of the second quarter the Firesharks would lead the game by 16 points.

The third quarter was very close as the Catalan defence was holding strong. Montpellier's players, some of which were part of the French side at the last EU Cup and the 9-a-side tournament in Spain, proved to be too strong for the Catalans and overwhelmed them in the fourth quarter, bringing home their long-awaited first victory.

Perpignan Tigers 5.16 (46)
Montpellier Firesharks 13.13 (91)

The game was probably the first of many between Perpignan and Montpellier. The Catalans have shown promising skills and will sure be a fierce opponent in the second French Cup to be held in Bordeaux this summer.